Tibet and Everest Base Camp before you go and female photographer packing list
It was always a dream of mine to visit Tibet and Everest Base camp to experience the amazing landscapes of Tibet and the rich Buddhist culture and local people and I finally got to travel and visit, and it was incredible. The spirituality amongst the Tibetan mountains and Himalayas was breathtaking and it was that dream come true to stand at Everest base Camp, explore monasteries and photograph the sweeping mountains and vistas.
A place I would love to go back to visit. A place where I found a lot of inner peace, strength and huge sense of accomplishment, making it to 5200 above sea level at the foot of Everest on the Tibet side, the North Face on the rooftop of the world or Third pole.
Before you go tips Essentials
Firstly, find a guide and reputable tour this is extremely important you must always have a guide with you and be on a tour. This can be a private tour.
Second, make sure the company you go with can help you obtain your Tibet Travel permit. This is given by the Chinese Government, and you must have that with you to travel to Tibet, but you can only obtain it in China first. The tour company you go with can apply for you and recommend where you can stay in China to pick up the permit and have a sight see there too. I chose Chengdu for the shopping and Pandas.
Third, make sure you have a Chinese Visa or apply for one before you go, I was fortunate that China has a visa waiver program for Australians for 15 days only, so I didn’t need a Visa. My tour was 10 days, and I stayed in Chengdu 3 days. One before Tibet and 2 days after. Please inquire with relevant authorities for updates as this is current for my October 30th tour 2024 and information may change.
Fourth, check with your doctor that you can handle altitude and have any relevant vaccines and medication you may need on your travels.
Fifth, you will need to show all these documents, your itineraries and flight details often so always have your documentation and passport with you at all times.
My Tips
Start getting fit and see your doctor, altitude is serious like I mentioned before and will go into detail later. It can make you sick. Lhasa on the Tibetan plateau is 3656m above sea level and I went much higher and as I found out it is real. Try all medication before you go for reactions first.
Don’t get too anxious as altitude sickness is made worse by anxiety. Breathe, relax and listen to your body and guides- if you need oxygen then use it.
Photography wise you are on a guided tour. So be open that weather and light may not be what you want, you may not have long in particular places to shoot due to altitude, time and weather is out of your control so enjoy what and where you are and make the most of your adventure.
Download WeChat and Alipay apps for translation and to be able to pay for all things in China and Tibet. Use cash as tips but everything else you can pay for via the two apps as a lot of places will not take cash. Also google is not available in China or Tibet so these apps are needed.
You cannot use a drone in Tibet leave it behind.
Always ask your guide can I take photos here?.
PACKING LIST-
-
I have cross body satchel that fits my two camera bodies and my favorite trilogy of lenses again.
My Nikon z7 and Z7 ii bodies
100-400mm 4.45-5.6 S lens for Everest, 24-200mm 4-6.3 for landscapes and cityscapes and my prime 20mm 1.8 astrophotography at Everest. Yes, it all was very heavy in hindsight I would take them all again I did use them in the places I thought I would, but my shoulder was killing me. It did fit under my seat as I wanted and was on my side in cities. I chose to take the two camera bodies so not to hold the tour up I had both cameras ready to jump with “you have ten minutes here” timewise it was a no brainer to take both in the end. It was worth the pain of lugging it all around with me.
my passport and permits and documentation
lip balm and glasses, power bank and filters, battery charger and iPhone charger.
journal and pen
-
Snow boots I took two pairs as weather was meant to be colder. It wasn’t in Lhasa there was no snow and was quite hot during the day.
Base layers x3 I only needed the extra layer once at base camp
Snowboarding pants x2 I only needed to wear these at base camp so one would’ve been fine
Leggings times x3
Ski outer shell jacket
Inner shell jacket
Two fleece
8 x pairs of socks
Underwear for each day
3 x pairs of jeans
3 x T shirts and singlets
1x gaiter and beanie
Toiletries and feminine hygiene products, hairbrush and basic makeup that I didn’t even put on.
My converse shoes for walking around Lhasa and Chengdu
One (tracksuit pants and sports bra as PJs)
Hydralyte (which became essential to me when I had a reaction to Diamox and mild altitude and had to go to a medical clinic) medicine and first aid kit.
Altitude sickness patches
Baby wipes (as you are advised not to shower first few days in Lhasa to not get sick) and yes squat toilets usually do not have paper so have them on supply
My camera tripod
Sleeping bag as I was unsure if hotels and room at base camp would be clean but everywhere we stayed was great it remained unused, and I accidentally left it on the Eco bus at base camp. So, bye sleeping bag.
Fold out bag yes, a light bag my aunt gave me as a birthday present it folds away and weighs nothing. When it folds out, I could put in souvenirs and things to bring back home
One hoodie and hat. I gave both to my guide as a gift when I left as they were Australian surf brands
Pack a sense of humor, adventure and fun, open hardheartedness and kindness and willingness to expect the unexpected and go with the flow. Leave your sense of any entitlement behind- you are traveling and creating experiences.
Now you have the essentials and are all packed ready to go, my next two blogs will be on the amazing trip so don’t go anywhere as this time next week the adventure begins. If you are looking at going to Tibet and Everest please contact me and I can refer you to my tours agent Mary and guide Dickey who will help you have a trip of a lifetime.
Once again, a huge thank you to those who have bought me coffee and the beautiful emails of support on my website both on here and my social media. If you get a chance please don’t forget to check out my print store and sign up to my newsletter or drop a message and say hi.
From the bottom of my heart thank you (xiè xie)
Until next time see you out there shooting,
Toni xx
Copyright © 2024 Antoinette Kouts. All Rights Reserved. Trademarked DEEP HEART EARTH ®